Method of putting

ABSTRACT

A method of putting a golf ball located on a putting green into a hole includes grasping a putter with at least one hand of a golfer and locating the putter at a first position such that the putter head is positioned proximate the golf ball and is at least four feet from the golfer. Furthermore, the method includes translating the putter head away from the golf ball to locate the putter at a second position, and orienting the shoulders of the golfer to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft in the second position. Additionally, the method includes translating the putter head towards the golf ball while the shoulders of the golfer face the hole, and instantaneously striking the golf ball with the putter head to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate in a direction along a line of the putt towards the hole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to golfing, and more particularly, to a method of putting a golf ball to improve putting and a putter.

Putting may be one of the more difficult and important aspects of golf to master and constitutes a substantial portion of golf scores. Thus, golfers generally understand that putting is a skill that should be mastered in order to reduce golf scores and become overall better golfers. It is known that golfers should invest substantial time in putting practice to become good putters and golfers. However, most golfers simply do not have substantial amounts of time to invest in putting practice. Moreover, most golfers derive satisfaction from striking the golf ball because that is generally the most fascinating aspect of golf for them. Thus, most golfers are not interested in putting practice. Although most golfers are constrained by time or are not interested in putting practice, it is generally known that most golfers desire to improve their putting.

In many competitive games an object is thrown towards a target such that the body of the thrower is oriented to face the target when releasing the object. Moreover, in such games the object is released by the thrower at a point in front of his body. Such games include, but are not limited to, baseball, darts, horseshoes, pitching pennies and softball. For example, in baseball the pitcher faces home plate and releases the ball at a point in front of his body when throwing the baseball towards the catcher. Facing the target and releasing the object at a point in front of the body while throwing the object may facilitate hitting the target because the thrower is able to concentrate on throwing the object in the direction of the target. In golf, putting involves gently swinging the head of a putter across a golfer's body, from one side to another, to gently hit a golf ball in the direction of the hole located in the green. However, golfers generally do not face the hole and generally do not concentrate on gently hitting the golf ball into the hole while putting. Instead, golfers face the golf ball and concentrate on making contact with the golf ball while putting.

Some golfers have been known to develop nervous tension known as the yips while putting. Such golfers are generally not able to develop into good putters because the nervous tension negatively affects accurate putting. This nervous condition may be evidence that conventional styles of putting are not natural, or at a minimum are flawed. To counter the nervous tension, such golfers have been known to adopt many different putting styles. However, the different putting styles have not been known to offset the negative effects caused by nervous tension and also seem to be flawed due at least to the position of the golf ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a method of putting a golf ball located on a putting green into a hole located in the putting green is provided. The method includes grasping a putter with at least one hand of a golfer. The putter includes a putter shaft, a putter head, and a putter grip. The putter shaft includes a first end and a second end. The putter head is securely connected to the second end of the putter shaft and is substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft. The putter is grasped at the first end of the putter shaft. Moreover, the method includes locating the putter at a first position such that the putter head is positioned proximate the golf ball and is about four or five feet from the golfer, and the golf ball is located on the putting green away from the hole. Furthermore, the method includes executing a backstroke by translating the putter head away from the golf ball to locate the putter at a second position, and orienting the shoulders of the golfer to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft in the second position. The putter head is translated a distance away from the golf ball that is determined by the force estimated to be required for hitting the ball over the length of the putt. Additionally, the method includes translating the putter head towards the golf ball along a line of the putt while the shoulders of the golfer face the hole, and instantaneously striking the golf ball with the putter head to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate in a direction along a line of the putt towards the hole.

In another aspect, a putter for putting a golf ball located on a putting green into a hole located in the putting green is provided. The putter includes a shaft including a plurality of shaft segments that are usable to adjust a length of the shaft. The shaft has a first shaft end and a second shaft end. Moreover, the putter includes a cylindrical head having a circular cross section, a first head end, a second head end, an outer surface, and a radial hole extending from the outer surface of the head to a center of the head. The radial hole is positioned intermediate the first head end and the second head end, and the shaft second end is inserted into the radial hole to securely connect the shaft second end to the head and to position the head substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The diameter of the putter head is determined such that a center of the putter head is configured to strike a golf ball at a distance above a center of the golf ball to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate to the hole.

While putting, a golfer grasps the first shaft end such that the putter is located at a first position and the head is positioned proximate the golf ball about four or five feet from the golfer. The head is translated away from the golf ball to locate the putter at a second position, and the shoulders of the golfer are oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the shaft. The putter head is translated a distance away from the golf ball that is determined by the force estimated to be required for hitting the ball over the length of the putt. Moreover, the head is translated from the second position towards the golf ball while the shoulders of the golfer face the hole, to instantaneously strike the golf ball to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate in a direction along a line of the putt towards the hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary golf putter;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary golf putter shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary connection between a putter shaft and a putter head;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary connection between the putter shaft and the putter head;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative exemplary golf putter;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of exemplary shaft segments positioned to form a joint;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of alternative exemplary shaft segments positioned to form a joint;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of additional alternative exemplary shaft segments positioned to form a joint;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a golfer illustrating an exemplary method of putting;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the golfer illustrating the exemplary method of putting;

FIG. 11 is another side view of the golfer illustrating the exemplary method of putting;

FIG. 12 is yet another side view of the golfer illustrating the exemplary method of putting; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view of the putter head striking the golf ball at a contact point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary golf putter 10. Specifically, the putter 10 includes a putter shaft 12 and a putter head 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the putter shaft 12 includes a first end 16 and a second end 18. Moreover, the putter shaft 12 is formed of a rigid material such as solid graphite, circular in cross-section, and forty-eight inches in length. However, in other embodiments the putter shaft may be hollow and may be made from any material such as, but not limited to, steel. The putter shaft 12 also includes a gripping region 20 at the first end 16 that extends for about a foot from the first end 16 towards the second end 18. The gripping region 20 is for ensuring that golfers are able to securely grasp the putter shaft 12. The putter head 14 is a cylinder including a first head end 22, a second head end 24, and an outer surface 26.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf putter 10 showing a side view of the putter head 14. In the exemplary embodiment the putter head 14 includes a circular cross-section, is steel, and has a distance of four and one quarter inches between the first head end 22 and the second head end 24. It should be understood that the distance between the first head end 22 and the second head end 24 corresponds to the diameter of a hole located in a golfing green. However, in other embodiments the distance between the first head end 22 and the second head end 24 may be any distance that facilitates putting as described herein.

The outer surface 26 of the putter head 14 is smooth and may be polished or buffed to facilitate reducing friction that may develop with grass while putting. The diameter of the putter head 14 is two inches. Because the putter shaft 12 is forty-eight inches long and the putter head diameter is two inches, the overall length of the putter 10 is fifty inches. In other embodiments the diameter of the putter head 14 may be any dimension that facilitates putting as described herein. Although the putter head 14 has a circular cross section in the exemplary embodiment, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the putter head 14 may have any cross section that facilitates putting a golf ball as described herein such as, but not limited to, an elliptical cross section. Moreover, although the putter head 14 is steel in the exemplary embodiment, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the head 14 may be made from any material such as, but not limited to, graphite, wood, a composite of graphite and wood, a composite of steel and wood, and a composite of steel and graphite.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary connection between the second end 18 of the putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14. In the exemplary embodiment the putter head 14 includes a radial hole 28 positioned intermediate the first head end 22 and the second head end 24. It should be understood that the radial hole 28 extends radially from the outer surface 26 toward a center 30 of the putter head 14, and that the radial hole 28 has a circular cross section. The second end 18 includes a connecting member 32 extending longitudinally along and away from the shaft 12 in a direction from the first end 16 towards the second end 18. The connecting member 32 has a circular cross section and a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the radial hole 28. The connecting member 32 is inserted into the radial hole 28 and is secured therein by an adhesive to thus securely connect the putter shaft 12 to the putter head 14. The adhesive may be any adhesive that facilitates securely connecting the connecting member 32 to the radial hole 28 including, but not limited to, an epoxy resin. It should be understood that upon inserting the connecting member 32 into the radial hole 28, the putter head 14 is positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft 12. The diameters of the connecting member 32 and of the radial hole 28 may be any size that facilitates ensuring a secure connection between the putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14.

Although the radial hole 28 extends radially from the outer surface 26 toward the center 30 of the putter head 14 in the exemplary embodiment, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the radial hole 28 may be configured to extend any distance into the putter head 14 including, but not limited to, diametrically through the head 14.

The components shown in FIG. 4 are similar to the components shown in FIG. 3, as described in more detail below. As such, components illustrated in FIG. 4 that are identical to components illustrated in FIG. 3, are identified using the same reference numerals used in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary connection between the second end 18 of the putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14. This alternative exemplary connection between the putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14 is similar to that shown in FIG. 3. However, the connecting member 32 and the radial hole 28 are threaded such that the putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14 may be securely connected together without an adhesive. The putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14 are connected together by rotating the putter shaft 12 while inserting the connecting member 32 into the radial hole 28. As a result of rotating the putter shaft 12, the threads of the connecting member 32 engage the threads of the radial hole 28 such that the putter shaft 12 and the putter head 14 are securely connected together. In other embodiments the putter head 14 may be rotated such that the threads of the radial hole 28 engage the threads of the connecting member 32, or both the putter head 14 and the putter shaft 12 may be rotated to engage the threads of the connecting member 32 with the threads of the radial hole 28 to securely connect the putter shaft 12 to the putter head 14. As a result of securely connecting the putter head 14 to the putter shaft 12, the putter head 14 is positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft 12.

The components shown in FIG. 5 are similar to the components shown in FIG. 1, as described in more detail below. As such, components illustrated in FIG. 5 that are identical to components illustrated in FIG. 1, are identified using the same reference numerals used in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative exemplary golf putter 10 that includes an adjustable length putter shaft 12. This alternative exemplary golf putter 10 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1. However, the putter shaft 12 includes a plurality of shaft segments 34 each adapted to be removably connectable to other shaft segments 34, such that the length of the putter shaft 12 may be easily and quickly adjusted. Specifically, each of the shaft segments 34 is removeably connected to another shaft segment 34 at a shaft joint 36. Thus, golfers may merely add or subtract a desired number of segments 34 when the golfer decides that changing the shaft length may facilitate improved putting. Each segment 34 is twelve inches long such that four segments 34 are required to yield a putter shaft length of forty-eight inches. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments the segments 34 may be any desired length such that any number of segments 34 may be used to adjust the putter shaft 12 to any desired length. For example, the segments 34 may be six inches long such that a golfer may adjust the length of the shaft 12 from forty-eight inches to forty-two inches by removing one of the segments 34. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments each of the segments 34 included in the putter shaft 12 may have a different length.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of two exemplary segments 34 positioned to form an exemplary shaft joint 36 included in the putter shaft 12. A first segment is designated 34-1 and a second segment is designated 34-2. Each of the segments 34-1 and 34-2 includes a body 38, a first segment end 40 and a second segment end 42. The first segment end 40 includes a fastening member 44 extending longitudinally along and away from the body 38 in a direction from the second segment end 42 towards the first segment end 40. The fastening member 44 has a circular cross section. The second segment end 42 includes a cavity 46 having a circular cross section that is designed to receive the fastening member 44. It should be understood that the diameter of the cavity 46 corresponds to the diameter of the fastening member 44. The two segments 34-1 and 34-2 are removably connected together to form the joint 36 by inserting the fastening member 44 of segment 34-1 into the cavity 46 of segment 34-2 and securing the fastening member 44 in the cavity 46 with a friction fit. In this exemplary embodiment, the segments 34-1 and 34-2 are hollow. However, in other embodiments the segments 34-1 and 34-2 may be solid.

The components shown in FIG. 7 are similar to the components shown in FIG. 6, as described in more detail below. As such, components illustrated in FIG. 7 that are identical to components illustrated in FIG. 6, are identified using the same reference numerals used in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of two alternative exemplary segments 34-1 and 34-2 positioned to form an alternative exemplary shaft joint 36. The alternative exemplary segments 34-1 and 34-2 are similar to those shown in FIG. 6. However, the fastening member 44 and the cavity 46 are threaded such that the segments 34-1 and 34-2 may be removably connected together. Specifically, the two segments 34-1 and 34-2 may be removably connected together to form the joint 36 by turning the segment 34-1 while inserting the fastening member 44 into the cavity 46. As a result of turning the segment 34-1, the threads of the fastening member 44 engage the threads of the cavity 46 such that the segments 34-1 and 34-2 are removably connected together. In other embodiments the segment 34-2 may be rotated to engage the threads of the cavity 46 with the threads of the fastening member 44, or both segments 34-1 and 34-2 may be rotated to engage the threads of the cavity 46 with the threads of the fastening member 44. In this alternative embodiment, the segments 34-1 and 34-2 are solid. However, in other embodiments the segments 34-1 and 34-2 may be hollow.

The components shown in FIG. 8 are similar to the components shown in FIG. 6, as described in more detail below. As such, components illustrated in FIG. 8 that are identical to components illustrated in FIG. 6, are identified using the same reference numerals used in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of two additional alternative exemplary segments 34-1 and 34-2 positioned to form an alternative exemplary shaft joint 36. The alternative exemplary segments 34-1 and 34-2 are similar to those shown in FIG. 6. However, the fastening member 44 includes two legs that each have protrusions 48 positioned at a terminal end thereof. Moreover, the cavity 46 also includes protrusions 49. The protrusions 48, 49 have a semicircular cross section. The two segments 34-1 and 34-2 may be removably connected together to form the joint 36 by pushing the protrusions 48 of the first segment fastening member 44 over the protrusions 49 of the second segment cavity 46, such that the protrusions 48 of the first segment fastening member 44 are positioned closer to the first segment end 40 of the second segment 34-2 than the protrusions 49 of the second segment cavity 46. The protrusions 48 of the first segment fastening member 44 also contact an inner surface of the second segment cavity 46. As a result, the protrusions 48 of the first segment fastening member 44 engage the protrusions 49 of the second segment cavity 46 such that the segments 34-1 and 34-2 are removably connected together. The protrusions 48, 49 are made from the same material as the segments 34-1 and 34-2. Although the exemplary embodiments described herein use a friction fit, threads, and protrusions to removably connect segments 34 together at the joints 36, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments any type of fastening device may be used that removably connects the segments 34.

Because the segments 34 are removably connectable, golfers may dismantle the putter 10 into the plurality of segments 34 and the putter head 14 to facilitate transporting the putter on vehicles such as, but not limited to, airplanes and automobiles. For example, when a golfer visiting Scotland from the United States desires to bring the putter 10 to Scotland for golfing, the golfer merely dismantles the putter 10 and includes the segments 34 and head 14 in luggage which is transported in an airplane.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a golfer 50 illustrating an exemplary method of putting a golf ball 52 with the putter 10 on a putting green 54 into a hole 56 located in the putter green 54. The golfer 50 begins putting with the putter 10 by grasping the putter 10 at the gripping region 20 and locating the putter 10 at a first position such that the putter head 14 is positioned proximate the golf ball 52 and is about four or five feet from the golfer. While positioning the putter, the golfer 50 adopts a position that offers an unobstructed view of the ball 52 and the hole 56 that facilitates establishing a line of sight LS with the hole 56. In the exemplary embodiment the golfer 50 grasps the gripping region 20 with one hand. However, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments golfers 50 may use both hands to grasp the gripping region 20.

In the exemplary method, the golfer 50 faces the hole 56 and aims the shaft 12 along the line of sight LS between the golf ball 52 and the hole 56. Because the golfer is facing the hole 56 while aiming the shaft 12 and locating the putter 10 in the first position, the front 58 of the golfer is positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft 12. Consequently, the shoulders and hips of the golfer are also positioned to be substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft 12. In contrast to conventional putting techniques that require the putter head to be within about six inches of the golfer, in the exemplary method described herein the putter head 14 is positioned about four or five feet from the golfer when putting to facilitate providing improved putting.

The components shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are similar to the components shown in FIG. 9, as described in more detail below. As such, components illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12 that are identical to features illustrated in FIG. 9, are identified using the same reference numerals used in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the golfer 50 illustrating the exemplary method of putting the golf ball 52 where the golfer 50 is grasping the gripping region 20 and the putter 10 is located in the first position.

FIG. 11 is another side view of the golfer 50 illustrating the exemplary method of putting the golf ball 52 where the putter is located in a second position. Specifically, after locating the putter 10 in the first position, the golfer 50 continues putting by executing a backstroke by translating the putter head 14 on the surface of the green 54 away from the golf ball 52 to locate the putter 10 at the second position. The direction of translation is indicated by an arrow 58. The putter head is translated a distance away from the golf ball that is determined by the force estimated to be required for hitting the ball over the length of the putt. It should be understood that while locating the putter 10 at the second position, the shoulders and hips of the golfer are positioned to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the putter shaft 12. After locating the putter 10 in the second position, the golfer 50 continues putting by verifying his shoulders and hips are oriented substantially perpendicular to the putter 10 in the second position.

FIG. 12 is yet another side view of the golfer 50 illustrating the exemplary method of putting the golf ball 52. Specifically, after locating the putter 10 in the second position, the golfer continues putting by causing the putter 10 to move towards the golf ball 52 and thus translating the putter head towards the golf ball 52 as indicated by an arrow 60. It should be understood that while the golfer is translating the putter head 14 towards the hole 56, the shoulders of the golfer face the hole. The golfer continues translating the putter head 14 towards the golf ball 52 and instantaneously strikes the golf ball with the putter head 14 to cause the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate in a direction towards the hole 56. By thus instantaneously striking the golf ball 52, the putter head 14 imparts a force to the golf ball 52 that causes the golf ball 52 to develop a top spin and translate towards the hole 56 along the line of sight LS. It should be understood that the outer surface 26 of the putter head 14 contacts the golf ball 52 at a distance above a center of the golf ball 52. The line of sight LS corresponds to the line of the putt.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged side view of the putter head 14 striking the golf ball 52 at a contact point CP. It should be understood that the contact point CP is located a distance D above a center 62 of the golf ball 52. By virtue of striking the golf ball 52 at the contact point CP, the putter head 14 imparts a force to the golf ball 52 that presses the golf ball 52 into the green and imparts a top spin to the golf ball 52. In the exemplary method the distance D may be any distance that facilitates imparting a force to the golf ball 52 that presses the golf ball 52 into the green and causes the golf ball 52 to develop a top spin and translate to the hole 56.

Although the golfer executes one backstroke before translating the putter head to strike the golf ball 52 in the exemplary method, it should be understood that in other methods the golfer may repeatedly execute the backstroke and translate the putter head 14 towards the golf ball 52 without actually striking the golf ball 52, prior to translating the head 14 and striking the golf ball 52.

It should be understood that in other embodiments the putter 10 may be used in a conventional style of putting. Specifically, the putter 10 may be used to putt golf balls by gently swinging the head 14 across the golfer's body, such that either the first head end 22 or second head end 24 hits the golf ball in the direction of the hole. Because the putter 10 may be used in such a conventional style of putting, the putter 10 itself as well as a method of using the putter 10, comply with the rules of golf established by the United States Golf Association.

In each embodiment, the above described putter and method of putting a golf ball facilitate improving putting by reducing the number of putts required to navigate a golf ball on a green into a hole. More specifically, while facing the hole a golfer causes a putter head to be translated towards a golf ball to instantaneously strike the golf ball at a contact point. By thus striking the golf ball, the putter head imparts a force to the golf ball that presses the golf ball into the green and causes the golf ball to develop a top spin and translate towards the hole. As a result, the number of puts required to navigate the golf ball into the hole is facilitated to be reduced and golfers have more time to work on other areas of their golf games that they may enjoy more than putting. Moreover, by virtue of facing the hole while putting golfers are able to better concentrate on putting the golf ball into the hole. Furthermore, the negative effects of nervous tension on putting are facilitated to be reduced. Accordingly, golfer performance and competitiveness are both facilitated to be enhanced.

Because golf scoring emphasizes putting, the above described putter and method of putting facilitates quickly achieving better scores based on more effective putting by allowing golfers to putt better without hours of practice.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for putting a golf ball by a golfer with a putter, comprising the steps of (a) grasping one end of a shaft of the putter; (b) aligning the golfer's body so that the golfer's shoulders face a target with a golf ball between the target and the putter, the shoulders being generally perpendicular to the putter shaft; (c) positioning a head of the putter adjacent the golf ball; (d) translating the movement of the putter away from the golf ball along a line extended from a target line between the golf ball and the target; and (e) translating the movement of the putter toward the golf ball along said extended line and into said target line to strike the golf ball and propel it along the target line.
 14. A method as defined in claim 13, where said translating movement of the putter away from the golf ball is determined in accordance with the distance between the golf ball and the target.
 15. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein said golf ball is struck with an intermediate portion of said head.
 16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein said head has a cylindrical configuration and a diameter greater than the diameter of the golf ball, whereby a top spin is imparted on the golf ball when it is struck by the head. 